Anyone contemplating buying an X-Sight II should watch this video, and read my comments on the Guild or the X-Sight II owners blog. This said, there are a few items Steve brings up, I wish to comment on. But first, let me say that I have over 120 hours of actual field use with my 5×20 X-Sight II, which I trust gives me a bit of credibility.

The imager in the X-Sight II is 1920×1080. That totals 2,073600 pixels, or rounded up, the advertised 2.1 megapixels. This assumes that ALL of the pixels are used, and I would guess they are not, as you never see any fringing around the viewed image. As Steve points out, the zoom is digital, so at 20 power (in this case) the effective pixel count is less that 140,000. Obviously, the viewed image looks pixelated. It is for this reason, that a selecting either the 3×14 or the 5×20 should be made based on your field experience with respect to your preferred magnification setting. In other words, if you buy the 3×14 to save $100, and expect to use it at 5 or more magnification, you will indeed be disappointed! Remember Steve’s word in the video—this is a field scope, not a target scope!

The viewing screen is 1280×720 or 921,600 pixels, and you can see everyone of them. But what you see in the scope, looks very poor in comparison to what the daytime video looks like when played on an HDTV. In my case, that’s a 55 inch Visio, and the videos look surprisingly good. This is mainly because the frame rate is 30 fps. During night time use, the frame rate can slow down to 15 or 7.5 fps. Although the playback is 30 fps, the slow record makes the playback look jittery. Nonetheless, I am still amazed at how good the scope sees at night.

The (assumed) CCD imager is very sensitive. The menu settings allow low, medium, and high sensitivity, but you cannot use the high unless you’re using only starlight as illumination. Speaking of which, in dead starlight, without any other illumination, you can see out to about 50 yards rather clearly. Past that, darker items like trees start to lose detail, especially is you’re moving the scope around.

As Steve points out in the video, the processor is very slow. Add in the lower night scan rate and the built in image stabilization, and off hand shooting isn’t a reality, unless you’re operating in bright sun light. And then you must use the sun shade and sun aperture which comes with the scope.

Steve didn’t mention the battery life in this video, but I’ll mention it here—it stinks big time! The unit will hold 4 AA batteries, but it doesn’t matter what brand or type you use, they’ll die within 45 minutes depending on which apps are running at the time. The scope does have WiFi and GPS, and both require power. All of this adds up to the need for an external battery. The ATN one is 16,000 mAh, and will run everything including the video record for at least 6 hours (as long as I have tested it).

The X-Sight II is advertised as having Bluetooth, but it is not implemented. Rumor has it, it will be in the next release.

Again, the X-Sight II is NOT an optical target scope. If you’re expecting clear as a bell target acquisition, forgetaboutit!

Alan

Anyone contemplating buying an X-Sight II should watch this video, and read my comments on the Guild or the X-Sight II owners blog. This said, there are a few items Steve brings up, I wish to comment on. But first, let me say that I have over 120 hours of actual field use with my 5x20 X-Sight II, which I trust gives me a bit of credibility.
The imager in the X-Sight II is 1920x1080. That totals 2,073600 pixels, or rounded up, the advertised 2.1 megapixels. This assumes that ALL of the pixels are used, and I would guess they are not, as you never see any fringing around the viewed image. As Steve points out, the zoom is digital, so at 20 power (in this case) the effective pixel count is less that 140,000. Obviously, the viewed image looks pixelated. It is for this reason, that a selecting either the 3x14 or the 5x20 should be made based on your field experience with respect to your preferred magnification setting. In other words, if you buy the 3x14 to save $100, and expect to use it at 5 or more magnification, you will indeed be disappointed! Remember Steve's word in the video—this is a field scope, not a target scope!
The viewing screen is 1280x720 or 921,600 pixels, and you can see everyone of them. But what you see in the scope, looks very poor in comparison to what the daytime video looks like when played on an HDTV. In my case, that's a 55 inch Visio, and the videos look surprisingly good. This is mainly because the frame rate is 30 fps. During night time use, the frame rate can slow down to 15 or 7.5 fps. Although the playback is 30 fps, the slow record makes the playback look jittery. Nonetheless, I am still amazed at how good the scope sees at night.
The (assumed) CCD imager is very sensitive. The menu settings allow low, medium, and high sensitivity, but you cannot use the high unless you're using only starlight as illumination. Speaking of which, in dead starlight, without any other illumination, you can see out to about 50 yards rather clearly. Past that, darker items like trees start to lose detail, especially is you're moving the scope around.
As Steve points out in the video, the processor is very slow. Add in the lower night scan rate and the built in image stabilization, and off hand shooting isn't a reality, unless you're operating in bright sun light. And then you must use the sun shade and sun aperture which comes with the scope.
Steve didn't mention the battery life in this video, but I'll mention it here—it stinks big time! The unit will hold 4 AA batteries, but it doesn't matter what brand or type you use, they'll die within 45 minutes depending on which apps are running at the time. The scope does have WiFi and GPS, and both require power. All of this adds up to the need for an external battery. The ATN one is 16,000 mAh, and will run everything including the video record for at least 6 hours (as long as I have tested it).
The X-Sight II is advertised as having Bluetooth, but it is not implemented. Rumor has it, it will be in the next release.
Again, the X-Sight II is NOT an optical target scope. If you're expecting clear as a bell target acquisition, forgetaboutit!
Alan

As both gentlemen above have said; This tool is for field use. It satisfies that need fairly well It certainly could be better, and most owners are hoping that means firmware improvements. The firmware feels like it was written by first year undergraduate CS students, to be brutally honest. It can only continue to improve.

I did the math on the X-Sight to calculate the resolution at each power of magnification. I also found all available magnification settings for the 3 x 14. The formula for pixel height is (where m is magnification) 1080/(m/3) = y; for pixel width it is 1920/(m/3).

Every magnification setting between 3.0 and 14.0 is not actually available. I’ve made chart showing all available magnification settings on the 3 x 14:

So with this information you can calculate the image resolution for the scope when it is zoomed in to 10 power as:
Y = (1080/(10/3)) = 324 pixels; X = (1920/(10/3)) = 576 pixels.

Additionally, it has been measured to take 10 seconds to zoom from the lowest magnification to the highest magnification (3 to 14, or 5 to 20) and slightly more to zoom to the highest extended magnification.

As both gentlemen above have said; This tool is for field use. It satisfies that need [u][i][b]fairly well[/b][/i][/u] It certainly could be better, and most owners are hoping that means firmware improvements. The firmware feels like it was written by first year undergraduate CS students, to be brutally honest. It can only continue to improve.
I did the math on the X-Sight to calculate the resolution at each power of magnification. I also found all available magnification settings for the 3 x 14. The formula for pixel height is (where m is magnification) 1080/(m/3) = y; for pixel width it is 1920/(m/3).
Every magnification setting between 3.0 and 14.0 is not actually available. I've made chart showing all available magnification settings on the 3 x 14:
http://www.oldspooks.com/agstuff/ATN/Possible-Magnification-Settings.jpg
So with this information you can calculate the image resolution for the scope when it is zoomed in to 10 power as:
Y = (1080/(10/3)) = 324 pixels; X = (1920/(10/3)) = 576 pixels.
Additionally, it has been measured to take 10 seconds to zoom from the lowest magnification to the highest magnification (3 to 14, or 5 to 20) and slightly more to zoom to the highest extended magnification.

Dang, you guys are makin’ my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night… First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn… waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn’t even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day… My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn’t know what was going on… first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this “I wonder what just happened to him” look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn’t good so they began to move off… #3 didn’t make it far… #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him… after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there… These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin ’round my farm sure don’t like me having this thing!

Dang, you guys are makin' my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night... First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn... waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn't even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day... My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn't know what was going on... first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this "I wonder what just happened to him" look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn't good so they began to move off... #3 didn't make it far... #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him... after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there... These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin 'round my farm sure don't like me having this thing!

“SaltH2OSlick”Dang, you guys are makin’ my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night… First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn… waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn’t even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day… My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn’t know what was going on… first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this “I wonder what just happened to him” look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn’t good so they began to move off… #3 didn’t make it far… #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him… after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there… These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin ’round my farm sure don’t like me having this thing!

Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field… all is good. You probably won’t have any issues unless you start using all the features.

[quote="SaltH2OSlick"]Dang, you guys are makin' my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night... First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn... waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn't even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day... My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn't know what was going on... first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this "I wonder what just happened to him" look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn't good so they began to move off... #3 didn't make it far... #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him... after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there... These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin 'round my farm sure don't like me having this thing! [/quote]
Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field... all is good. You probably won't have any issues unless you start using all the features.

“SaltH2OSlick”Dang, you guys are makin’ my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night… First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn… waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn’t even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day… My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn’t know what was going on… first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this “I wonder what just happened to him” look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn’t good so they began to move off… #3 didn’t make it far… #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him… after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there… These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin ’round my farm sure don’t like me having this thing!

Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field… all is good. You probably won’t have any issues unless you start using all the features.

I don’t use the GPS or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and such, but do like the video feature and it is surprisingly good as long as you don’t get too crazy with the zoom factor of the scope. This thing works very much like the old Sony TRV series video cameras with “night shot” except you can use it to “aim”… I like it so far. I also have the battery pack. I’ve taken it out on an evening hunt and left it on the whole time and the battery showed little decay.

[quote="oldspook"]
[quote="SaltH2OSlick"]Dang, you guys are makin' my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night... First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn... waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn't even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day... My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn't know what was going on... first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this "I wonder what just happened to him" look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn't good so they began to move off... #3 didn't make it far... #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him... after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there... These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin 'round my farm sure don't like me having this thing! [/quote]
Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field... all is good. You probably won't have any issues unless you start using all the features.
[/quote]
I don't use the GPS or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and such, but do like the video feature and it is surprisingly good as long as you don't get too crazy with the zoom factor of the scope. This thing works very much like the old Sony TRV series video cameras with "night shot" except you can use it to "aim"... I like it so far. I also have the battery pack. I've taken it out on an evening hunt and left it on the whole time and the battery showed little decay.

“SaltH2OSlick”Dang, you guys are makin’ my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night… First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn… waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn’t even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day… My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn’t know what was going on… first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this “I wonder what just happened to him” look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn’t good so they began to move off… #3 didn’t make it far… #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him… after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there… These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin ’round my farm sure don’t like me having this thing!

Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field… all is good. You probably won’t have any issues unless you start using all the features.

I don’t use the GPS or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and such, but do like the video feature and it is surprisingly good as long as you don’t get too crazy with the zoom factor of the scope. This thing works very much like the old Sony TRV series video cameras with “night shot” except you can use it to “aim”… I like it so far. I also have the battery pack. I’ve taken it out on an evening hunt and left it on the whole time and the battery showed little decay.

New firmware will be out pretty soon. I’m told the Obsidian APP is now asking if the user wants to connect with Bluetooth. Since it is currently turned off in the scope, that implies is will soon be turned back on. Given that ATN is now pushing their Bluetooth enabled ranging device… yeah… anyway. I am looking forward to the new firmware release myself.

[quote="SaltH2OSlick"]
[quote="oldspook"]
[quote="SaltH2OSlick"]Dang, you guys are makin' my head hurt! I put a 5-20 on my .25 Cricket, and it is devistating on coons under my feeder at night... First time out, I got 3 of the 4 that were there munching on the corn... waited until it was so dark I could not see them with my naked eye (range approximately 25 yards). I surned the scope on, and with available light, didn't even activate night mode. I could see the coons plain as day... My gun is dead quiet and the coons didn't know what was going on... first one dropped instantly and the other 3 just looked over at him, with this "I wonder what just happened to him" look about them. The second dropped and the other 2 decided whatever it was that was happening to them, it wasn't good so they began to move off... #3 didn't make it far... #4 was out in the brush and though I could see him plainly (about 50-60 yards), I could not get a pellet through the brush to him... after 2 attempts, he skedaddled outta there... These things are indeed not target scopes, but they sure are fun!! Coons and other vermin 'round my farm sure don't like me having this thing! [/quote]
Exactly, that is the way of the thing. Stick it on one rifle, get it set up, and get busy with it in the field... all is good. You probably won't have any issues unless you start using all the features.
[/quote]
I don't use the GPS or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and such, but do like the video feature and it is surprisingly good as long as you don't get too crazy with the zoom factor of the scope. This thing works very much like the old Sony TRV series video cameras with "night shot" except you can use it to "aim"... I like it so far. I also have the battery pack. I've taken it out on an evening hunt and left it on the whole time and the battery showed little decay.[/quote]
New firmware will be out pretty soon. I'm told the Obsidian APP is now asking if the user wants to connect with Bluetooth. Since it is currently turned off in the scope, that implies is will soon be turned back on. Given that ATN is now pushing their Bluetooth enabled ranging device... yeah... anyway. I am looking forward to the new firmware release myself.